azclimber.com

Chicago, IL http://www.lakeshoreacademy.com/hiddenPeak/

*Hidden Peak is one of the coolest gym we checked out for two main reasons. The first is the bouldering is top-notch. They had a great mix of varied pitches and different problems. Like North Wall, Hidden Peak built some great features into their bouldering and as a result the wall and its features become a very important part of most problems. Personally, I love those types of problems. The second reason HP is so cool has nothing to do with the excellent climbing. The second is how you get there/where its located. To get to HP you need to go under a bridge, past an industrial site, and into a Gymnastics Academy’s basement. It might sound stupid but if you ever go or have ever been there you will know what I mean. I think its like the scene in “Swingers” when Mikey is telling Rob why its cool to say that you’ve been to certain bars in LA.

**HP is like North Wall in that both are bouldering-intensive gyms with little in the way of roping so just leave your harness at home.

-Staff: excellent. We only met two employees, and one of them was working in the gymnastics academy but they were both very pleasant and helpful. The one in the bouldering area was more than willing to talk us around the gym and point out some fun problems.

-Cost/rental equipment: good. We paid about fourteen bucks to climb and shoes were free and the only reason HP doesn’t earn an excellent rating is the lack of rentals. So if you don’t have your own shoes, good luck.

-# of routes/space usage: excellent. Oh my God, so many routes. HP packed more routes onto their walls than I thought possible but thankfully I was mistaken. Routes go in all different directions over so many different pitches and features that if you can’t find a route you like or want to try then you are a dick and don’t really like anything, so why are you reading?

-Route markings: excellent. For having such densely-routed walls, the holds for a problem are easy to spot. On some walls holds for one problem can hide around corners or among the holds for other problems but Hidden Peak’s holds are easy to see and problems scouted accurately.

-Merch: poor. They have some shirts, but thats all. So buy a shirt, be cool.

-Extras: fair. HP has some extras, but not many. We heard their events and route-setting parties are great, but we weren’t at one. The simple truth is the bouldering is so awesome at Hidden Peak that you don’t need anything else. We are getting into more and more climbing spots and what makes one good and another not so much is becoming clearer. And what is clear is Hidden Peak has fantastic bouldering. You should go. Now.